New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS
A JOURNALIST POET.

80
Illustrated. Cincinnati Mrs. f. b. Plimpton.
The author of these verses was man whose
iahor,ons davs borrowed cleer from the light that
never was ON sea or land-a gentle, upright soul,
whose lot was cast in the most prosac ways OF
alism but who kept his ideals intact and gave
them expression now and then IN muslca' verse;
Mr.. Plimpton devoted many years OF honorable
editorial service to The Cincinnati, Commercial ana
Gazette. 1t was service which his comrades
recognized as wise and manly and
which doubtless had its effect upon his
readers but which can never be known in detail
outside the Office in which he tolled. What those
who knew hun best thought of his serious WORK may
be seen in Mr. Halsteads appreciative introduction
to these poems More than once" he says nave
taken pleasure in saving that the mistakes III Vno
MANAGEMENT of The Cincinnati Commercial "hio
Mr. Plimpton and we're so closely associated were
mine, not his, and that errors OF policy "eio
usually, almost uniformly, against us pro.os', Ito
saw earlier and clearer and more constantly IMAM
the greatness of the figures IN the war OF Lincoln
and Grant. and whatever was true OF others had
No nroua,ces 10 indulge against those who were
faithful IN the service of the imperilled country.
must confess that was always slow to believe IN
new great men; and they came upon us IN HOOKS III
war time There had to be good deal accom-
plished besides the PLAYING OF IL all 10 the Cuei ny
brass bands before could see the evidences 'ha'
names until then but narrowly known were
TO be blown across the "ho'e
world and into everlasting ana
overwhelming glory. by the trump or tame. MI
Plimpton's intuition, delicate as a womaus was
not unfrequenty superior to my carefully
weighed information and close caicuia''o''
He corld not draw the fine lines SO as 10
balance between declarations, and neither affirm
nor deny though it was not essential or importah'
In pronounce for either; and he was not comfort
able when it was the officially imposed duty 10 pose
ON the high aud sharp fences OF independent jour
nal SIN; and personal journalism never was HIS
Measure. His articles would commit the paper
decldedIy The roads he travelled we're always
straight. and he was for or against Tom, DICK or
Harry all the year round The strength OF con-
v,ction and keenness of purpose that we're his
characteristics in combat were too intense
IN him for long course of badinage
or A tedious policy of fnesse. In puohc
affairs he was nothing if not In earnest.
Mr. Plimpton was incapable of intrigue or indi-
rectlon We al ways knew where he was. and haV
he meant and stood for His integrity was 50 sure
that there was no hesitation IN trusting 1t; ana III
the delicate adjustments Of the relations OF inc
newspaper to individuals. and the compl'ca'ions vi
general and local matters he was ever unseihsn
aud faithful rejecting opportunities 70 ceieor.'o
the things that were near to him personally ior
the sake of preserving the tradtlons auo lno 'o"u'
course of the common policy.
MIR Plimpton was the least precautions OF poets
and this modcsty in regard to his romantic vent
ures he shared with his friend. Upon one sno-
iectn Mr. Halstead declares, Mr. Plimpton anu my
self were quite serious; 1t was that OF our H'oiy
productions when we were verv young men; h's
ballads and my novelties. We were shade 'eh-
der abont those unconscious confessions OF our
vouth But we were so far from the days In when
we first saw ourselves IN print as TO DO aoie 10 ooh
Ms disinterested spectators upon our immature
selves; and we respected. am glad TO say tne
bows who had SO early ard fondly and foolishiy
fancied they could do something for-eVen
add to the romantic literature OIL
the ideal West-the West that never was IN
the wilderness, and never will be in this world.
knew well long ago that, while should ask the ior-
giveness Of forqctfulness for my crude Indian anu
rural stories written to learn to write Tor the press
ana out of want Of occupation. there was something
In the poetry of Plimpton that was rare ana pre-
cjous Boy and man, through the changes oil 1orty
years he found in poetry the finer. higher truer
on OF himself" The best of these verses are
graceful. subdned sympathetic, expressive Of a
hearty love for nature and faith IN the ldea III u
man kind Their simple music and tender spirit
give than q charm which far more ambitious poets
have failed to WELD Nothing could be simpler thah
this little poem Bereaved" but it has the at'rac
zion of true and touching sentiment:
He walks the earth with downcast eyes.
In which sorrow and the pain
lhat softens in heart-easing rain
The tumult Of the busy world,
Its noisy strife and toll he hears;
1t falls upon unheedlng ears.
For what TO him are greed and gain
VINO mourning like the woodland dove,
Broods DER the vacant nest OF love
twas in the expression of grave mood or in the
1pternretatlon of a personal experience that Mr.
Plimnton was most successful. What he felt lie
sang in sweet and natural strains. but 1t was MOI
easy fer him to respond TO the demands
of the poem of occasion nor to translate
his vein of hu or into rhyme. His was sedatt
and penslve muse, inclined not to laughter but to
su,et resignation. as in " Waiting":
Out of our lives arc taken
The noise of the praise OF the people
And triumphs for deeds that are done;
g Wealth of the telds and the rivers
Wrought in the splendor Of kings,
And name OF all names TO be spoken
In lands of the SNOW and the sun
Death is better than life,
The reaping of grain than the sowing.
Swccter the folding OF hands
Why should we toll as one .,u
For whom fresh seasons are blowing.
When the sands slip under our feet
And the heavens daiken Ger US
One there is who builds.
And His building is not shaken,
NoI roll Of the thunder of drums;
Only the trumpet OF God
The dwccrs therein shall waken. .
When the wrath of His wrath Is hndcd
And the day of His Judgment comes
With the peace that is before
And the pain that Is behind us.
Knowing the folly OF living,
The sorrow that comes OF waiting
II can not matter how soon
We 20 10 the houses assigned us,
For ready TO face
Our fate without hesitatng.
There is no bitterness in the most serious of thes
fleam of Tenderness aud trustfulnes